Marine in Philippines Being Held in Death of Transgender Woman

A U.S. Marine in the Philippines is being held in connection with the death of a transgender woman after finding out she was anatomically male “following a night at a local disco.”

According to ABC News, the deceased–Jeffrey Laude–was a Philippine national, and “a joint Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Philippine National Police investigation” is now underway.

USMC Forces Pacific spokesman Colonel Brad Bartelt said the Marine Corps “is working closely and cooperating fully with the Philippine National Police to ensure a thorough investigation is completed and due process of law is followed.”

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that Laude and a “male, white foreigner” checked into a hotel in Olongapo on October 11 at approximately 11:30 pm. The suspect “left the hotel alone a few minutes after he and Laude entered their room.”

A hotel attendant later found Laude in the bathroom of the hotel room, “his head slumped in the toilet.”